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Best way to have a cell phone in Cartagena?

Forum,
A friend and I will be in Cartagena from Feb 2-13. We want to have working cell phones with us for the trip. My friend will be going to the Barranquilla carnival as well the weekend of the 4-8th.
My question is, what is the best way to do this? Bring our own phones? I know they have to be unlocked, this is not a problem. I can also buy a cell phone cheap that is dual band, both 850 and 1900. How much does a "SIM" card cost, and what the heck is it? Just some code numbers you data enter into the phone? Or should we just rent phones locally?
I've done a search on this topic, and just got confused for the most part.
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions, this is a great site for Colombia info :-)

By Saltador on Jan 2, 2005, 20:06 in Friendly Talkzone.

Saltador says on Jan 3, 2005, 05:40:

Ok, but... Then do the pre pagado phones then have free unlimited minutes? Or do you have to pay extra for blocks of time, or per call? I'm trying to compare my options and go with the most economical overall...

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stevens says on Jan 3, 2005, 06:54:

Nokia? I have a Nokia (3315?) that I bought in the Philippines. They work on SIM cards. Could I use it I Colombia? Thanks.

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mi32952 says on Jan 4, 2005, 04:50:

Prepaid phonecards Saltador, you have to buy phone cards to charge the prepaid phones. I have some phones for rent. They are prepaid as well but you will not have to go thru the hassel of buying a phone. It is not like in the states. You have to jump thru alot of red tape to get a phone. I bought 3 new Bellsouth phones in Dec. and the paperwork took me almost four hours. You can rent them from me for a $20 a week. If you are interested send me an email and we will work it out. Ray

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Saltador says on Jan 4, 2005, 09:54:

Good Info! Ray,
I sent you a message on this site, you can also email me at
Saltador1 at hotmail.com, I'd like to discuss the details with you.
Also, I hear there is a comcel store in Bocagrande, is that where you buy the prepago phones?

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mi32952 says on Jan 5, 2005, 14:22:

For the rent on the phone. You still have to charge the phone with cards.

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Bruce V. Shrader says on Jan 6, 2005, 10:27:

Cell phones It's not too dificult to buy a cell phone from comcel.
Never took me more than about an hour. Besure to take
your passport (or Cedula), they do require identification.
what you purchase with the prepaid cards is the "minutes".
The cards are sold EVERYWHERE! About 80 percent of
the cell phones are "prepagado" or prepaid. All of Colombia
is digital cell phones. If you already have one, take it
with you because it might be possible to use your own.
in their system. I have, in the past. If you have an analog
phone. Forget it, they won't program an analog phone.

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Crazy4Cali says on Jan 6, 2005, 12:02:

Can you purchase a SIM card? Do you know if you have a GSM phone that uses a SIM card, can you purchase a SIM card for a Colombian service, or a pre-pagado SIM card to put in the phone?

It seems to me, that would be an easy option and save having to buy another phone.

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toneloc24 says on Jan 6, 2005, 15:18:

Make sure your GSM phone is "unlocked" and has the same bandwidth as Colombia.

If so, go to Comcel with your passport, or a copy of it, and get a SIM card activated. You buy the prepaid Comcel cards with the designated credits. Follow instructions on uploading them onto your phone and you have service.

NOTE: The Comcel stores are closed from 12-2 for lunch.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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